This bright and colorful, action packed circus poster portrays the quintessential Buffalo Bill images with Indians and western scenes, characters in full regalia that were used in his wild west shows and Barnum and Bailey circus events, with whom he eventually partnered with; scenes are of cowboys and Indians in battle, Indians in ceremony, and an Indian Chief dressed up in full typical attire and head dress. Title of poster is “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of The World”. It is a reissued poster by Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey from 1971 of one of their original early 1883 promotional circus posters.
To commemorate their 100th anniversary, in 1971, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey, produced reissues of some of their select and most famous authentic posters dating from 1883 until the 1930’s. There were 30 different posters, and they were advertised as “The only antique posters authorized by the greatest show on earth”. They were sold at traveling circus shows, and measured roughly 17″ x 24″. They were all identified by a number preceded by the letter “P”. The numbers ranged from #103 thru #202. These are not cheap “Amazon print outs”, but rather 50 plus year old items, as I have described.
I was able to acquire four of these posters from a prominent “circus collection”. This one is labeled “P-202” as indicated in the lower right hand margin and referred to as “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West – Featuring Indians”; as described in the first paragraph. It incorporates a multiplicity of colors but features red, blue, and yellow. and is all original with no repairs, no touch-up; and professionally mounted under glass in a contemporary black, metal frame, with preservative backing; and ready to hang hardware on the rear.
In lovely condition, this poster is suitable for any type of decorative placement.
Dimensions:
(with frame) 17″ high x 24 1/2″ wide x 1″ deep
actual poster= 16 1/2″ x 24″
Please see the other three posters I have listed.